This was the South Africans’ first match in 2015. They last played in October in the CAF African Women’s Championship in Namibia, but they did not show any rustiness.

Mexico got their first goalscoring opportunity in the eighth minute, but Corral’s volley went over Roxanne Barker’s goals.

Vera Pauw’s charges got a chance in the 16th minute after Sanah Mollo paced down the flank, but her cross found only the Mexican players in the box.

Mollo got another chance on the half-hour mark, releasing a great shot from the edge of the box, but Mexican keeper Cecilia Santiago was well alert to make a save.

Mexico put Banyana under more pressure at the start of the second half and took the lead in the 53rd minute. Pauw’s charges lost possession from a throw-in close to the box, giving Corral an opportunity to fire a shot past Barker.

Five minutes later, Mollo was brought down in the box after she managed to go past the Mexican central defenders, but the referee waived play on, denying South Africa a penalty that could have perhaps brought them back into the match.

As a result of that challenge on Mollo, she could not continue with the match. Jermaine Seoposenwe came on in her place – her first match for Banyana Banyana after a lay-off from injury.

Mayor extended Mexico’s lead from a long-range shot on 70 minutes.

Banyana face Belgium in their second match of Group C on Friday at the Paralimni Stadium.

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